Field installation clip for exposed grid systems

ABSTRACT

In the fabrication of suspended ceiling exposed grid systems, a field installation clip may be used to releasably lock main runners in abutting relationship, serially connect cross-T&#39;&#39;s across a main runner, releasably lock cross-T&#39;&#39;s in abutting relationship and releasably lock cross-T&#39;&#39;s in parallel between two main runners.

United States Patent Roles [451 July 18, 1972 54] FIELD INSTALLATIONCLIP FOR [56] References Cited EXPOSED GRID SYSTEMS UNITED STATESPATENTS [72] Invent: David Jack Bammme' 3,015,375 1/1962 Lickliter..52/665 1 Assigneel Sys Products Corporation, Columbia, 3,279,72910/1966 Buttriss ..24/73 B 22 Filed: Feb. 18, 1971 PrimaryExaminer-49hr! Muflash 1 App] o 116 520 Attorney-Charles B. Smith 57ABSTRACT 52 .u.s. c1. ..287/l89.36A, 52/459; 1248255, In the fabricationofsuspended 66mins exposedgfid systems, a 51 1111. c1. 1 E046 2742 fieldinstallam clip may be used re'easably 5s 1 Field ors rcn ..52/665, 4756166;287/18935, abuumg relafim'ship' Sammy cmssms acmss 287/i3936 A;24/73 3 a main runner, releasably lock cross-T's in abuttingrelationship and releasably lock cross-T's in parallel between two mainrunners.

6 Claim, 8 Drawing Figures Patented July 18 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.2.

34 18 7s; so

Patented July 18, 1972 3,677,589

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 18, 1972 3,677,589

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIELD INSTALLATION CLIP FOR EXPOSED GRID SYSTEMSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device forsecuring beams at right angles to one another in an exposed grid,suspended ceiling construction, and more particularly to a clip for usein the field installation of suspended ceilings.

It has often been found that in the construction of new buildings or inthe renovation of old buildings, it is advisable to employ a suspendedceiling rather than repair or construct a new ceiling of plaster orother material. In constructing such suspended ceilings, a series offlanged beams are suspended from the original ceiling and supportacoustical tiles or other types of ceiling panels which may be employedin the suspended ceiling.

Such systems generally form a rectangular grid arrangement with longparallel beams, generally referred to as main runners, extending overthe length of the ceiling. A number of beams, parallel to one anotherand transverse to the main runners, are normally joined to the mainrunners at suitable intervals. These transverse parallel beams arereferred to as cross- Ts." In some constructions, the bottom flange ofthe suspended beams is exposed to form part of the fabricated ceiling,while in others it may not be desirable to expose the flange.

Typically, the main runners will be suspended from root trusses or otherprimary members by wires or other means well known in the art. The mainrunners are usually relatively long, 12 feet being a typical length and,in the past, main runners were spliced together end-to-end to span theceiling space. The cross-Ts are usually spaced along the main runners atregular intervals, for example 2 to 4 feet, and, typically, are 2 to 4feet long, providing grid openings of a size to accommodate acousticaltiles or other panels supported on the main runner and cross-T flanges.

In the past it was necessary to provide the main runner web withvertically elongated cross-T attaching apertures or routs" as disclosedin U. 5. Pat. No. 3,283,467 to Henry Znamirowski. This featurenecessarily complicates the fabrication of suspended ceilingconstructions since the main runners are usually die stamped orotherwise mechanically treated to form cross-T attaching apertures atpredetermined axial intervals. In addition it was difficult to adaptsuspended ceiling grid systems to particular specification because mainrunners were generally spliced together end-to-end and cross- Ts wereusually spaced along the main runners at regular intervals determined bythe frequency of cross-T attaching apertures in the main runner.

Although fastening systems for fabricated ceiling suspensions have beenpreviously introduced, as disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,187,856 toLydard, those fasteners did not eliminate the necessity for formingcross-T attaching apertures in the main runner nor did they facilitateengagement between main runners. Prior fastening systems increased thestability and rigidity of the ceiling suspension, however, they did notappreciably affect the ease with which the grid system could beconformed to specification.

According to the present invention, the fabrication of suspended ceilinggrid systems and their installation can be simplified. The grid systemcan be more readily adapted to specification in the field, while thesuspended construction retains its qualities of stability and rigidity.

A more specific advantage of this invention is that it permits theconstruction of an integrated suspension grid system that can be linkedthrough interconnecting corridors.

Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from thedescription below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a field installationclip for releasably locking grid beams in stable, rigid construction.The field installation clip may be used to releasably lock main runnersin abutting relationship, serially connect cross-T's across a mainrunner, releasably lock cross-T's in abutting relationshipand'releasably lock cross-Ts in parallel between two main runners. Gridbeams provided for installation may be trimmed from their originallength in the field and trimmed grid beam members may be installed. ininterlocking relationship with the field installation clip of thisinvention.

The field installation clip may be formed from a single sheet of metaland comprises an apertured template engaging member terminating in aC-frame fastening portion. The template engaging member includes aplurality of keepers adapted to engage the trimmed edge of a grid beammember. The C- frame fastening portion terminates in a plurality ofrestraining elbows which are angularly disposed to rigidly contain agrid beam member over which the C-frame is fastened.

The template engaging member is particularly adapted to engage a gridbeam member having an axial rout or aperture in spaced relationship tothe trimmed edge of the grid beam member.

A keeper formed in the template and complementary in shape to the routis adapted to fit within the rout to secure the template to the gridbeam. Additional keepers or trimmed edge gripping fingers formed in thetemplate secure the template to the trimmed edge of the grid beam. Whenthe keepers formed in the template plurally engage the grid beam, thetemplate is held in rigid juxtaposition to the grid beam.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention takenin conjunction drawings, in which:

with the appended BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is aperspective view of a main runner with two cross- Ts secured to the mainrunner with field installation clips according to one aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a field installation clip adapted to oneembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the field installation clip of FIG.3.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of two field installation clips constructedaccording to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in interlocking relationshipwith a main runner and two cross-Ts shown in phantom lines forreference.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a field installation clip constructedaccording to a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the field installation clip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the field installation clip of FIG.6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, twocross-T's, each generally labeled 8, are serially connected across mainrunner 6 by interlocking field installation clips, generally labeled 50.The main runner 6, and the two cross-T's 8 are illustrated assubstantially identical to one another. Both the main runner 6 and thecross-T's 8 comprise an upstanding web portion 10 formed by a firstvertical portion 12 and a second vertical portion 14. The first andsecond vertical portions l2, 14 are joined at the top in a roundedsecuring rib 16. The other end of each of the vertical portions l2, 14extends into a horizontal ceiling panel support flange 18, 20. Mainrunner 6 and cross-Ts 8 are substantially shaped as an inverted T with arounded portion opposite to the juncture of the vertical portion and thehorizontal portion. A decorative flange cover 22 caps flanges l8 and 20to provide an attractive under-surface which is desirable ininstallations where the under-surface of main runners and cross- Ts forma visible part of the installed ceiling.

Generally, the cross-T height will be somewhat less than the main runnerheight, and the cross-T may be made of lighter gauge metal. Main runnersmay be rolled or otherwise formed from a single sheet of metal. In the'case of aluminum, the main runner will preferably be extruded and theweb 10 will be formed of a single thickness of metal.

At a predetermined axial interval, cross-T web 10 is provided with avertically elongated field installation clip attaching aperture or rout24, Rout 24 is formed in cross-T web it in spaced relationship totrimmed end 26 of cross-T 8. The rout is formed to accommodate acomplementary retaining surface of installation clip 50.

Axial routes, identically formed, may be provided in main runner 6 atsuitable axial intervals to accommodate additional grid structures or toprovide an engaging aperture for field installation clip 50. Rout 24 islocated generally in the lower two-thirds of web 10 and is defined, inpart, by vertical side walls 28, 30 extending along the web width.Vertical side walls 28, 30 are substantially parallel and terminate,respectively, in horizontal side walls 32, 34 and 36, 38. Horizontalside walls 32, 36 are joined to each other in first concave notch 40 andhorizontal side walls 34, 38 are joined to each other in second concavenotch 42.

Apertures 44 may be provided in main runner 6 and cross- T 8 to supportsuspension wires or other similar conduits, known to those skilled inthe art, which may be secured to primary ceiling beams.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, field installation clip 50 comprisestemplate engaging member 52 having a C-frame fastening portion 54 whichterminates in angularly disposed retaining elbows 94, 96. Templateengaging member 52 is provided with cross-T mating slot 56 defined byhorizontal side walls 58, 60 and vertical end walls 62, 64. Vertical endwall 64 is a retaining louver which extends outwardly from the plane oftemplate 52.

A first grid beam engaging keeper 66 formed in template 52 extendsoutwardly from the plane of the template a distance X whichsubstantially approximates the gauge of a grid beam web to which it willbe affixed. Keeper 66 is adapted to slidably engage a grid beam web inthe area defining the web rout and to facilitate insertion of the keeperthrough a web rout for engagement with the grid beam web, edges 63, 70of keeper 66 are beveled. Canted portion 67 further facilitatesinsertion of keeper 66 through a web rout and provides a resilientretaining surface which firmly secures template 50 to a grid beam web.Canted portion 67 of keeper 66 is canted at an angle a from the plane ofthe template. Each of beveled edges 68, 70 is formed at an angle thatmay typically be about 30 from the horizontal.

Along its bottom horizontal margin, template 50 includes a flareextension 72 which is canted to an angle 3 from the vertical. Flareextension 72 forms an added support aligning member with a flared marginwhich contacts a horizontal ceiling panel support flange and therebyminimizes the vertical sliding movement of template 52.

A pair of trimmed edge gripping fingers or grid beam engaging keepers74, 76 formed in template engaging member 52 are removed from the planeof template engaging member in much the same fashion as first grid beamengaging keeper 66. The trimmed edge gripping fingers each comprise aplanar portion 74a, 76a respectively and an upstanding portion 74b, 76brespectively. The planar portion 74a, 76a of each of the trimmed edgegripping fingers 74, 76 is substantially parallel to the plane of thetemplate. The upstanding portion 74b, 76b of each of the trimmed edgegripping fingers 74, 76 is canted at an angle of approximately A to theplane of the template. Each one of the trimmed edge gripping fingers 74,76 is of a horizontal length of approximately L.

The C-frame fastening portion 54, formed as a lateral extension oftemplate 52, comprises a substantially planar stay 80 which is integralalong one of its edges with an edge of template 52. Preferably, C-framefastening portion 54 and template engaging member 52 are formed from asingle piece of material, preferably spring steel, which is bent alongcrease line 82. Planar stay 80 extends downwardly into supporting legs84, 86. Supporting legs 84, 86 contact one of the horizontal ceilingpanel support flanges formed in the grid beam member to which theC-frame fastening portion of field installation clip 50 is affixed.

Planar stay extends upwardly into inwardly concave engaging member 88which is substantially complementary in shape to the rounded securingrib on a grid beam. The inner radius of curvature of concave engagingmember 88 is substantially equal to the outer radius of curvature of thesecuring rib formed along the margin of a grid beam web. Notch 92 isformed in concave engaging member 88 to accommodate a field installationclip interlocking finger formed in the C-frame fastening portion of acontiguously positioned field installation clip which is fastened over agrid beam securing rib that is common to both field installation clips.

A field installation clip interlocking finger 90 is formed in concaveengaging member 88 and is canted therefrom at an angle 2 from thehorizontal. interlocking finger 90 is of width W and is formed inconcave engaging member 88, adjacent notch 92. interlocking finger 90 ispositioned to interlock with a mirror image interlocking finger, formedin a contiguously positioned field installation clip, which is alignedin notch 92 over a common grid beam securing rib. The base ofinterlocking finger 90 is grooved to accommodate securing elbow 97,formed in the concave engaging member 88 of a second interlocked fieldinstallation clip, which prevents juxtaposed interlocking fingers frombecoming disengaged.

Concave engaging member 88, formed in C-frame fastening portion 54,extends into an angularly disposed securing lip 95 which tenninates inrestraining elbows 94, 96. Restraining elbows 94, 96 firmly contain agrid beam securing rib within concave engaging member 88 by restrainingrelease therefrom at points along the line joining the securing rib tothe grid beam web.

in a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, 7 and 8, flareextension 72 may be replaced with flare supports 72' and 72" formed intemplate 52. Flare supports 72 and 72" may, typically, be canted at anangle B. from the vertical to provide template support aligning membersthat contact a horizontal ceiling panel support flange to minimizevertical sliding movement thereover by an engaged template. Thismodification increases the utility of the field installation clip, sinceeach flare support may be canted to a different angle from the verticalto conform to any irregularities which may occur in a horizontal ceilingpanel support flange to which the installation clip is engaged.

In a second preferred modification, securing lip 95 extends from concaveengaging member 88 and conforms to the shape thereof. However,restraining elbows 94, 96 are angularly disposed from the vertical tofirmly contain a grid beam securing rib within concave engaging member88, as previously described.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, the field installation clip of thisinvention is intended to be installed on the right side of a grid beamweb, considering right and left as determined by looking axially alongthe grid beam from the center toward the end in question. It is notnecessary to provide a left-hand or mirror image field installationclip. Each installed clip is provided with an interlocking finger 90adjacent an interlocking finger accommodating notch 92 whichaccommodates the interlocking finger of a contiguously positioned fieldinstallation clip when the contiguously positioned clip is fastened overan adjacent section of the same securing rib in projected imagealignment with the installed clip.

The channel portion 65 formed in template 52 which is defined betweenlouvered edge 64 and keeper 66 is substantially complementary in shapeto rout 24 formed in grid beam web 10. When keeper 66 is insertedthrough rout 24 and firmly fixed against vertical side wall 30 ofcross-T web 10 and cross-T web 10 fills the slot formed between keeper66 and the plane of template 52, louvered edge 64 provides an engagingsurface that limits horizontal movement of the installation clip 50 inone direction by engaging vertical side wall 28 if a horizontal stressis exerted to disengage an installed clip.

One embodiment'of a field installation clip constructed according toFIGS. 3 and 4 is found to perform satisfactorily with the dimensions L0.156 inches, W 0.06 inches, X 0.048 inches i 0.003 inches, or 30, ,8greater than 45, vertical flare extension Y z 0.10 inches, horizontalflare extension Z 0.15 inches, A 30 and e 30.

Referring to H68. 1, 2 and 5, when an exposed grid, suspended ceilingsystem is erected, a number of main runners 6 are secured to rooftrusses or other primary members of the original ceiling, at the desiredheight, in side-by-side parallel relationship to one another in spacedrelationship to each other, in an area designated as a room space. Inthe formation of an entrance way or corridor leading to or from adesignated room area, main runners 6 are, similarly, suspended from rooftrusses in side-by-side parallel relationship to one another in spacedrelationship within the corridor area, however, corridor area mainrunners are usually disposed at right angles to room area main runners.At the line of entrance from the corridor area into the room area,abutting main runners may be secured to each other by mounting fieldinstallation clip 50 on one main runner and fastening the concaveengaging portion 68, of the mounted clip, over the securing rib of asecond main runner.

In the fabrication of an exposed grid, suspended ceiling system,designed to fill a specific area, main runners 6 may be suspended fromprimary ceiling members in the manner previously described Each cross-T3 is of a length substantially equal to the distance between thehorizontal panel support flanges lid, 20 of two parallel main runners 6.Cross-T 8 is provided with vertically elongated rout 24 a predetermineddistance from trimmed end 26. Aperture template engaging member 52 offield installation clip 50 is positioned substantially parallel toupstanding web 10 of cross-T 8 such that deformed, louvered edge 64substantially coincides with vertical side wall 28. As fieldinstallation clip 50 is mounted on web 110, keeper 66 and trimmed edgegripping fingers 74, 76 simultaneously engage upstanding web 10. Keeper66 is urged through rout 241 while trimmed edge 26 is inserted withintrimmed edge gripping fingers 74, 76. The field installation clip 50 isurged forwardly until louvered edge 64 positively engages vertical sidewall 28 of web 10.

The concave engaging portion 88 of clip fastening member 54 ispositioned above rounded securing rib 16 of main runner 6. The clip 50and engaged cross-T 8 assembly are then urged downwardly. The downwardforce causes elbowed lip 95 to distend and snap over rounded securingrib 16. The downward force is applied until supporting legs 84, 86 abuttmain runner ceiling panel support flange 18 or 20 and are alignedthereon.

Angularly disposed retaining elbows 94, 96 contact the juncture ofrounded securing rib 16 with upstanding web 10 and prevent clip 50 frombecoming inadvertently dislodged by providing a clamping force againstupstanding web 10 and rounded securing rib 16.

if it is desired that two cross-Ts intersect one main runner 6 andpresent the appearance of a full intersection of two continuous beams,then interlocking finger 90 is inserted into accommodating notch 92 ofthe adjoining clip. This provides a self-aligning and interlockingarrangement between two cross- Ts across a main runner. The C-framefastening portion of each field installation clip is off-set from thelongitudinal axis of the interlocked cross-Ts, therefore, the clips maybe placed in close proximity to each other, to provide an interlockingarrangement, without interference occuring between the proximatelypositioned clips.

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described inconnection with a specific embodiment, particularly a main runner andcross-T arrangement in which the main runner and cross-T aresubstantially the same size, and have a particular configuration,various modifications of the clip will occur to those skilled in the artwhen employing cross-Ts and main runners of varying sizes and shapeswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

ii. A field installation clip. adapted to secure two grid beam membersin normal relationship to each other, comprising a template engagingmember, having a grid beam mating slot, defined by at least twosubstantially parallel edges; a plurality of grid beam engaging keepersdisposed along a first planar surface of said template engaging memberadapted to slidably engage selected portions of a first grid beammember, at least one of said gn'd beam engaging keepers being formedalong a first defining edge of said template engaging member; a C- framefastening member integrally formed along a second defining edge of saidtemplate engaging member and extending laterally of a second planarsurface thereof, said C-frame fastening member comprising a planar stayportion, a plurality of supporting legs projecting downwardly from saidplanar stay portion arranged to align said C-frame fastening memberalong a second grid beam member, an inwardly concave engaging memberprojecting outwardly from the upper portion of said planar stay disposedfor slidable engagement with said second grid beam member in normaldisposition to said first grid beam member and a plurality ofrestraining elbows projecting inwardly from the lip of said concaveengaging member within the grid beam engaging space formed by saidconcave engaging member to prevent accidental disengagement of saidsecond grid beam member therefrom.

2. A field installation clip adapted to releasably lock two grid beammembers in normal relationship to each other, comprising a templateengaging member, having a grid beam mating slot, defined by at least twosubstantially parallel edges; a plurality of grid beam engaging keepersdisposed along a first planar surface of said template engaging memberadapted to slidably engage selected portions of a first grid beammember, a first grid beam engaging keeper being formed along a firstdefining edge of said template engaging member, and a pair of grid beamengaging keepers in constant alignment along said first planar surfaceof said template engaging member and in spaced relationship to a seconddefining edge of said template engaging member; an angularly disposedflare extension projecting obliquely from a second planar surface ofsaid template engaging member arranged to align said template engagingmember along selected portions of said first grid beam engaging member;a C-frame fastening member integrally formed along said second definingedge of said template engaging member and projecting laterally from saidsecond planar surface thereof, said C-frame fastening member comprisinga planar stay portion, a plurality of supporting legs projectingdownwardly from said planar stay portion arranged to align said C-framefastening member along a second grid beam member, an inwardly concaveengaging member, projecting outwardly from the upper portion of saidplanar stay, disposed for slidable engagement with said second grid beammember in normal disposition to said first grid beam member and havingan interlocking finger accommodating notch in the crest thereof and apair of restraining elbows projecting inwardly from the lip of saidconcave engaging member within the grid beam engaging space formed bysaid concave engaging member to prevent accidental disengagement of saidsecond grid beam member therefrom.

3. A field installation clip adapted to releasably lock two grid beammembers in normal relationship to each other, comprising a templateengaging member, having a substantially rectangular grid beam matingslot, defined by at least two substantially parallel edges; a pluralityof grid beam engaging keepers disposed along a first planar surface ofsaid template engaging member adapted to slidably engage selectedportions of a first grid beam member, a first grid beam engaging keeperbeing formed along a first defining edge of said template engagingmember, and a pair of grid beam engaging keepers in constant alignmentalong said first planar surface of said template engaging member and inspaced relationship to a second defining edge of said template engagingmember; a narrow channel member defined along a first edge by said firstgrid beam engaging keeper and along a second edge by said grid beammating slot, said second edge being louvered from said ing edge of saidtemplate engaging member and projecting laterally from said secondplanar surface thereof, said C-frame fastening member comprising aplanar stay portion, a plurality of supporting legs projectingdownwardly from said planar stay portion arranged to align said C-framefastening member along a second grid beam member, an inwardly concaveengaging member, projecting outwardly from the upper portion of saidplanar stay, disposed for slidable engagement with said second grid beammember in normal disposition to said first grid beam member and havingan interlocking finger accommodating notch in the crest thereof toaccommodate a field installation clip interlocking finger of a fieldinstallation clip in projected image alignment across said second gridbeam member, a field installation clip interlocking finger adjacent saidinterlocking finger accommodating notch projecting obliquely from saidconcave engaging member, and a pair of restraining elbows projectinginwardly from the lip of said concave engaging member within the gridbeam engaging space formed by said concave engaging member to preventaccidental disengagement of said second grid beam member therefrom.

4. The field installation clip of claim 3 wherein said angularlydisposed flare extension comprises plural supporting legs in spacedrelationship to each other projecting obliquely from said second planarsurface of said template engaging member, said plural supporting legsbeing arranged to align said template engaging member along selectedportions of said first grid beam engaging member.

5. In a suspended ceiling grid structure having a main runner andtransverse cross-T, said main runner and cross-T each having an axiallyupstanding web and a pair of axially extending flanges projectinghorizontally from the upstanding web, said cross-T web having avertically elongated field installation clip aperture located at anintermediate height in said cross-T web in spaced relationship to atrimmed end of said cross-T, the improvement comprising a fieldinstallation clip engaging said cross-T for releasably locking saidcross-T to said main runner in normal relationship comprising a templateengaging member, having a cross-T mating slot, defined by at least twosubstantially parallel edges; a plurality of cross- T engaging keepersdisposed along a first planar surface of said template engaging memberadapted to slidably engage selected portions of said cross-T, a firstcross-T engaging keeper being formed along a first defining edge of saidtemplate engaging member engaging said cross-T web along a first along asecond edge by said 8 vertical side wall defining, in part, saidvertically elongated field installation clip aperture, and a pair ofgrid beam engaging keepers in constant alignment along said first planarsurface of said template engaging member and in spaced relationship to asecond defining edge of said template engaging member engaging saidcross-T web along selected portions of the trimmed edge thereof; anarrow channel member defined along a first edge by said first cross-Tengaging keeper and V cross-T mating slot, said second edge beinglouvered from said first planar surface of said template engaging memberand engaging said cross-T web along a second vertical side walldefining, in part, said vertically elongated field installation clipaperture;-an angularly disposed flare extension projecting obliquelyfrom a second planar surface of said template engaging member arrangedto rest along an axially extending flange projecting horizontally fromsaid upstanding web when said cross-T engaging keepers plurally engagesaid cross-T web; a C-frame fastening member securing said main runnerto said cross-T integrally formed along said second defining edge 'ofsaid template engaging member and projecting laterally from said secondplanar surface thereof, said C-frame fastening member comprising aplanar stay portion, a pair of supporting legs pro ecting downwardlyfrom said planar stay portion arranged to align said C-frame fasteningmember along an axially extending flange projecting horizontally fromsaid rnain runner web, an inwardly concave engaging member, projectingoutwardly from the upper portion of said planar stay, releasably lockedto said main runner in normal disposition to said cross-T and having aninterlocking finger accommodating notch in the crest thereof toaccommodate a field installation clip interlocking finger of a fieldinstallation clip in projected image alignment fastened across anadjacent portion of the same main runner, a field installation clipinterlocking finger adjacent said interlocking finger accommodatingnotch projecting obliquely from said concave engaging member, and a pairof restraining elbows projecting inwardly from the lip of said concaveengaging member within the main runner engaging space formed by saidconcave engaging member to prevent accidental disengagement of said mainrunner therefrom.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said angularly disposedflare extension of said field installation clip comprises pluralsupporting legs in spaced relationship to each other projectingobliquely from said second planar surface of said template engagingmember, said plural supporting legs being arranged to align saidtemplate engaging member along selected portions of said cross-T andrest along an axially extending flange projecting horizontally from saidupstanding web when said cross-T engaging keepers plurally engage saidcross-T web.

intnne

1. A field installation clip adapted to secure two grid beam members innormal relationship to each other, comprising a template engagingmember, having a grid beam mating slot, defined by at least twosubstantially parallel edges; a plurality of grid beam engaging keepersdisposed along a first planar surface of said template engaging memberadapted to slidably engage selected portions of a first grid beammember, at least one of said grid beam engaging keepers being formedalong a first defining edge of said template engaging member; a C-framefastening member integrally formed along a second defining edge of saidtemplate engaging member and extending laterally of a second planarsurface thereof, said C-frame fastening member comprising a planar stayportion, a plurality of supporting legs projecting downwardly from saidplanar stay portion arranged to align said C-frame fastening memberalong a second grid beam member, an inwardly concave engaging memberprojecting outwardly from the upper portion of said planar stay disposedfor slidable engagement with said second grid beam member in normaldisposition to said first grid beam member and a plurality ofrestraining elbows projecting inwardly from the lip of said concaveengaging member within the grid beam engaging space formed by saidconcave engaging member to prevent accidental disengagement of saidsecond grid beam member therefrom.
 2. A field installation clip adaptedto releasably lock two grid beam members in normal relationship to eachother, comprising a template engaging member, having a grid beam matingslot, defined by at least two substantially parallel edges; a pluralityof grid beam engaging keepers disposed along a first planar surface ofsaid template engaging member adapted to slidably engage selectedportions of a first grid beam member, a first grid beam engaging keeperbeing formed along a first defining edge of said template engagingmember, and a pair of grid beam engaging keepers in constant alignmentalong said first planar surface of said template engaging member and inspaced relationship to a second defining edge of said template engagingmember; an angularly disposed flare extension projecting oblIquely froma second planar surface of said template engaging member arranged toalign said template engaging member along selected portions of saidfirst grid beam engaging member; a C-frame fastening member integrallyformed along said second defining edge of said template engaging memberand projecting laterally from said second planar surface thereof, saidC-frame fastening member comprising a planar stay portion, a pluralityof supporting legs projecting downwardly from said planar stay portionarranged to align said C-frame fastening member along a second grid beammember, an inwardly concave engaging member, projecting outwardly fromthe upper portion of said planar stay, disposed for slidable engagementwith said second grid beam member in normal disposition to said firstgrid beam member and having an interlocking finger accommodating notchin the crest thereof and a pair of restraining elbows projectinginwardly from the lip of said concave engaging member within the gridbeam engaging space formed by said concave engaging member to preventaccidental disengagement of said second grid beam member therefrom.
 3. Afield installation clip adapted to releasably lock two grid beam membersin normal relationship to each other, comprising a template engagingmember, having a substantially rectangular grid beam mating slot,defined by at least two substantially parallel edges; a plurality ofgrid beam engaging keepers disposed along a first planar surface of saidtemplate engaging member adapted to slidably engage selected portions ofa first grid beam member, a first grid beam engaging keeper being formedalong a first defining edge of said template engaging member, and a pairof grid beam engaging keepers in constant alignment along said firstplanar surface of said template engaging member and in spacedrelationship to a second defining edge of said template engaging member;a narrow channel member defined along a first edge by said first gridbeam engaging keeper and along a second edge by said grid beam matingslot, said second edge being louvered from said first planar surface ofsaid template engaging member; an angularly disposed flare extensionprojecting obliquely from a second planar surface of said templateengaging member arranged to align said template engaging member alongselected portions of said first grid beam engaging member; a C-framefastening member integrally formed along said second defining edge ofsaid template engaging member and projecting laterally from said secondplanar surface thereof, said C-frame fastening member comprising aplanar stay portion, a plurality of supporting legs projectingdownwardly from said planar stay portion arranged to align said C-framefastening member along a second grid beam member, an inwardly concaveengaging member, projecting outwardly from the upper portion of saidplanar stay, disposed for slidable engagement with said second grid beammember in normal disposition to said first grid beam member and havingan interlocking finger accommodating notch in the crest thereof toaccommodate a field installation clip interlocking finger of a fieldinstallation clip in projected image alignment across said second gridbeam member, a field installation clip interlocking finger adjacent saidinterlocking finger accommodating notch projecting obliquely from saidconcave engaging member, and a pair of restraining elbows projectinginwardly from the lip of said concave engaging member within the gridbeam engaging space formed by said concave engaging member to preventaccidental disengagement of said second grid beam member therefrom. 4.The field installation clip of claim 3 wherein said angularly disposedflare extension comprises plural supporting legs in spaced relationshipto each other projecting obliquely from said second planar surface ofsaid template engaging member, said plural supporting legs beingarranged to align said template engaging member along selected portionsof said first grid beam engagiNg member.
 5. In a suspended ceiling gridstructure having a main runner and transverse cross-T, said main runnerand cross-T each having an axially upstanding web and a pair of axiallyextending flanges projecting horizontally from the upstanding web, saidcross-T web having a vertically elongated field installation clipaperture located at an intermediate height in said cross-T web in spacedrelationship to a trimmed end of said cross-T, the improvementcomprising a field installation clip engaging said cross-T forreleasably locking said cross-T to said main runner in normalrelationship comprising a template engaging member, having a cross-Tmating slot, defined by at least two substantially parallel edges; aplurality of cross-T engaging keepers disposed along a first planarsurface of said template engaging member adapted to slidably engageselected portions of said cross-T, a first cross-T engaging keeper beingformed along a first defining edge of said template engaging memberengaging said cross-T web along a first vertical side wall defining, inpart, said vertically elongated field installation clip aperture, and apair of grid beam engaging keepers in constant alignment along saidfirst planar surface of said template engaging member and in spacedrelationship to a second defining edge of said template engaging memberengaging said cross-T web along selected portions of the trimmed edgethereof; a narrow channel member defined along a first edge by saidfirst cross-T engaging keeper and along a second edge by said cross-Tmating slot, said second edge being louvered from said first planarsurface of said template engaging member and engaging said cross-T webalong a second vertical side wall defining, in part, said verticallyelongated field installation clip aperture; an angularly disposed flareextension projecting obliquely from a second planar surface of saidtemplate engaging member arranged to rest along an axially extendingflange projecting horizontally from said upstanding web when saidcross-T engaging keepers plurally engage said cross-T web; a C-framefastening member securing said main runner to said cross-T integrallyformed along said second defining edge of said template engaging memberand projecting laterally from said second planar surface thereof, saidC-frame fastening member comprising a planar stay portion, a pair ofsupporting legs projecting downwardly from said planar stay portionarranged to align said C-frame fastening member along an axiallyextending flange projecting horizontally from said main runner web, aninwardly concave engaging member, projecting outwardly from the upperportion of said planar stay, releasably locked to said main runner innormal disposition to said cross-T and having an interlocking fingeraccommodating notch in the crest thereof to accommodate a fieldinstallation clip interlocking finger of a field installation clip inprojected image alignment fastened across an adjacent portion of thesame main runner, a field installation clip interlocking finger adjacentsaid interlocking finger accommodating notch projecting obliquely fromsaid concave engaging member, and a pair of restraining elbowsprojecting inwardly from the lip of said concave engaging member withinthe main runner engaging space formed by said concave engaging member toprevent accidental disengagement of said main runner therefrom.
 6. Thecombination set forth in claim 5 wherein said angularly disposed flareextension of said field installation clip comprises plural supportinglegs in spaced relationship to each other projecting obliquely from saidsecond planar surface of said template engaging member, said pluralsupporting legs being arranged to align said template engaging memberalong selected portions of said cross-T and rest along an axiallyextending flange projecting horizontally from said upstanding web whensaid cross-T engaging keepers plurally engage said cross-T web.